As a powerful winter storm continues to sweep across large parts of North America, dumping feet of snow and bringing blizzard conditions to cities from the U.S. Northeast to Canada, many residents were forced to hunker down indoors. But, for some four-legged residents, the severe weather has proved to be a dream come true.
Across social media, dog owners have shared viral videos showing how their pets reacted to the extreme winter conditions—ranging from full-blown joy to comical struggles in the deep snow.
Dogs Enjoy the Snow
In Massachusetts, Flapjack, a 10-month-old golden retriever from the South Shore, was caught on camera experiencing his first blizzard. Rather than staying warm inside, Flapjack sprinted back and forth through the snow, leaping into piles with uncontainable excitement. The video, which has garnered more than 8,000 views, was captioned by his owner: “First time experiencing a blizzard and soul immediately left his body.”
“He was so excited, he couldn’t contain himself,” Flapjack’s owner Hannah told Newsweek. “He just started sprinting back and forth and launching himself into the snow piles like it was the greatest day of his life. We actually had to drag him back inside because he had absolutely no plans of stopping.”
Hannah added that Flapjack, normally a mellow and gentle dog, spent the rest of the day whining at the door, watching the snow fall, begging to go back outside. “His reaction was so genuine and happy that I figured it might brighten someone else’s day too,” she said.
Farther north in Toronto, where some neighborhoods saw nearly 23 inches of snowfall amid polar vortex conditions this weekend. But border collies Everest, 7, and Bali, 3, were living their best lives. In a video shared by their owners, the dogs were captured bounding effortlessly through deep, powdery snow at a local park, seemingly unfazed by the storm. One clip, captioned, “Polar vortex for Toronto. Best day of the year for my border collies,” has racked up more than 250,000 views on Instagram.
Their owners, Smriti and Kartik, said the dogs’ enthusiasm was no surprise. “They love snow—they have traveled the world with us, and snow is what they enjoy the most,” they told Newsweek. “Blizzard or storms, they get their play times. That’s the only way to keep a border collie happy.”
Not Everyone Is Built for the Weather
Not all dogs had it quite as easy. Also in Toronto, Crumpet, a 6-year-old corgi, faced a more practical challenge: his short legs.
A viral video shows Crumpet’s owner shoveling a narrow path through the snow so he wouldn’t get stuck, while the corgi happily hops along behind. Despite the depth of the snow, Crumpet appeared unfazed, earning more than 150,000 views on Instagram.
“To be fair, he was still having the time of his life, even though he was drowning in the snow,” his owner, Michelle Payot, said in the caption.
“He’s always loved the snow ever since he was a puppy. I definitely love seeing him so happy, hopping through the snow like a bunny,” she told Newsweek.
While many dogs love the snow, there are safety warnings, too. Veterinarians warn that extreme cold can pose serious risks for canines, even those that appear well-equipped for winter weather.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that frostbite and hypothermia can affect pets quickly and, in some cases, fatally. While certain breeds tolerate lower temperatures better than others, experts caution that no canine should remain outside for extended periods during freezing conditions, particularly puppies, senior dogs or those with underlying health issues.